Surging Rays extend win streak to 6 games

Chris Archer pitched six strong innings, while Matt Joyce and Kelly Johnson drove in two runs apiece to help the surging Tampa Bay Rays extend their winning streak to a season-best six games with a 4-1 victory over the sputtering Minnesota Twins.

Archer's skilled marksmanship keeps Rays hot

Games like Tuesday night's happen when you're on a roll. And make no mistake about it, the Rays are riding a major one, which continued in a 4-1 win over the Twins at Tropicana Field as Chris Archer allowed three hits in six innings.

Shields outduels CC for much-needed victory

Forget the moral victories. James Shields was hungry for an actual win. The Royals have had trouble scoring for Shields, and as a result, he doesn't win nearly as often as he should. Only one half of that equation rang true for Shields on Tuesday night,…

The 30th anniversary of the infamous George Brett pine tar game is July 24. The Royals are currently back in the Bronx to play the Yankees, and Brett is back with the Royals as their interim hitting coach, with a press conference planned for today so he…

Infante bound for DL; Perez recalled

Despite Omar Infante's best attempts to make it back into the Tigers' lineup over the weekend, he'll have to settle for a stint on the 15-day disabled list due to a sprained left ankle. The Tigers recalled second baseman Hernan Perez from Double-A Erie.

Twins’ Samuel Deduno pitches to himself — twice

If baseball were football, Minnesota Twins right-hander Samuel Deduno would have been charged with two false starts Monday night. Twice against the Tampa Bay Rays he started to deliver a pitch but stopped mid-windup and flipped the ball to himself inste…

D’Ohio! Nick Swisher regrets not running it out

Your browser does not support iframes. Other than "use two hands!" it's the oldest axiom in baseball: Always run it out, because you never know. Cleveland Indians slugger Nick Swisher thought he knew on Monday night that his nubber in the eigh…

Big eighth inning gives Cubs crosstown sweep

Luis Valbuena knocked in three runs, including the go-ahead runs with a two-run double during a five-run eighth inning, to lift the Cubs to an 8-2 victory over the White Sox on Monday night at U.S. Cellular Field.

The GM's Office: ChiSox On The Move?

Jim Bowden takes a look at several players on the White Sox that could be traded before the deadline.

02:17

Buster Blog: Garza's Trade Market

Jul 9

Cubs pitcher Matt Garza has said a contract extension with the team is a possibility, but Buster Olney blogs that there is no chance Garza will sign a long-term deal with the Cubs.

04:54

SweetSpot TV: MVP/Cy Young Predictions

Jul 9

Eric Karabell and David Schoenfield give their predictions on which players will win the MVP and Cy Young award.

00:30

Rays Win Sixth Straight

Jul 9

The Rays handed the Twins their ninth loss in 10 games with the 4-1 win on Tuesday.

Sports Columnists

Lakers top luxury tax list at nearly $30 million

Jul 10

Six NBA teams have been billed for luxury-tax payments they owe for last season's payrolls, according to official league figures obtained by ESPN.com on Tuesday night. And the heftiest, not surprisingly, belongs to the Lakers.

Los Angeles Lakers hit with luxury tax of over $29 million

Jul 10

Six NBA teams have been billed for luxury-tax payments they owe for last season's payrolls, according to official league figures obtained by ESPN.com on Tuesday night. And the heftiest, not surprisingly, belongs to the Lakers.

Tyler Hansbrough close to deal with Toronto Raptors - sources

Jul 9

The Toronto Raptors are close to finalizing a multi-year deal with free-agent forward Tyler Hansbrough, according to sources with knowledge of the talks.

Tyler Hansbrough has deal with Toronto Raptors - source

Jul 9

The Toronto Raptors are close to finalizing a multi-year deal with free-agent forward Tyler Hansbrough, according to sources with knowledge of the talks.